Heat rushed through me but so did clarity.
I straightened.
" We don't have a wedding date," I said quietly.
" We signed a contract"
" That's paper"
" Paper binds empires" He said
"What about people?" I challenged
He stepped closer.
" I don't take what isn't offered"
The air thickened between us.
" I don't offer what isn't earned"
A soft grin touched his lips.
He looked amused.
" Good night Miss Stone"
I walked past him.
He was watching me.
And for the first time that night Elijah Sterling looked challenged.
***
Julie squeezed my hand, comforting me.
" CrownJewel is your home. You may have left but they'll always remember the days you gave them glory"
We stepped into the building and headed straight for Mr. Rapha's office. I knew being the first to take a chance on me, he was obviously disappointed in my decision to retreat from the spotlight.
And may never forgive my betrayal.
" Welcome Eliza. Have a seat" motioning for us to sit.
" so what brings you here?"
" I no longer want my work to be passed to others" I said assertively " I'll work from here on."
" What changed your mind?" Mr Rapha asked squinting to read the document before him.
" I want to prove I am still the best there is" I said confidently.
" I don't believe that," Mr Rapha said without casting a glance at me.
" I believe it and that's all that matters" I said casually.
Something about this conversation brought back memories of our first encounter. I was sixteen and I'd run away from home ,surviving on the streets playing dress up for money. I recognized him and followed him till I got his attention.
Then I said just a sentence to him
" I'm the best there is and I believe it".
I was young. I was confident and I had the world at my feet.
He looked at me from head to toe ,his eyes staying longer on my thin frame formed from malnutrition.
" I don't believe that" He said and left.
One week later he returned and asked just one question
" How hard can you work?"
" I am willing to grab my destiny with both hands" I responded
He smiled.
I became a sensation ever since.
" Eliza, I'll forgive you just this once. If you fail me again, you're on your own"
He dropped a document on the table " Review it and get ready for Paris"
" I know it's your personal life, but I'll advice you make use of the current hype to boost your fame"
Julie picked it up and with a bow we exited the office. I only realized I was holding my breath when I released it.
This was my first real deal after my comeback
"Eliza we did it" Julie rushed to give me a hug .
" Not yet" I took a seat.
" We can only celebrate after the show"
" Eliza, it's a famous perfume and beauty brand" Julie said flipping pages after the other.
" At last something you deserve"
"Julie book our tickets for two days before the day" I said
" Why ?" Julie questioned
" I need to see someone before we head to the hotel"
***
The silk sheets felt soft against my skin. Last night I had tossed and turned all night on this same bed that felt unfamiliar.
Julie's message chimed in
Was worried and wanted to check on you. Remember to tell him about Paris.
Love Julie.
I placed my phone on the table after responding.
" Good evening Miss Stone"
I turned to the left and there she was. A middle aged lady dressed in a white dress. I could swear she wasn't here in the morning. She wore a friendly smile.
" Good evening"
" Mr. Sterling is waiting downstairs"
She suddenly placed a dress on the bed.
" For you ma'am"
I moved my hand over it .
" It's lovely. Thank you"
" Mr. Sterling wants you to wear this as well"
She hands me a box. It was an emerald color ring. It was probably a family heirloom.
After a while, I stood staring at my reflection in the mirror. For a man who was rarely seen with women, his observation to detail was impressive.
The dress was a brown strapless v neck silk dress. The slit ended just below my waistline.
I powdered my face again before heading downstairs. Every step I took had that piercing gaze on me.
He wasn't just staring.
He wanted to devour me.
" Miss Stone"
I took his hand
" What is all this about?"
" You'll know soon"
His lips curved into a smile.
We were escorted to the dining table.
" Elijah"
An elderly lady hugs him tenderly.
" Grandma" Elijah's voice dropped an octave lower than usual.
" Who's this?" She turned to me almost immediately. Her sharp emerald eyes pinning me to the spot.
" My fiancee , Eliza Stone"
I stepped forward, offering a smile " It's an honor to meet you, Mrs. Sterling" I greeted warmly.
" When is the wedding?" She snapped ignoring pleasantries.
Elijah's hand found my back., searing through my brown silk dress " Soon Grandma"
I had never seen Elijah so tender before.
Immediately we sat down for dinner the air shifted immediately, from cold to hostile. Across from us sat Markie Sterling and his wife Shirleen. They didn't offer any greetings just visible disdain. I could tell they weren't talking to one another.
" So Eliza" Shirleen said with voice dripping with fake sweetness " what do you do?, Besides wearing my family heirloom?"
Her looks were average. And she hid a smirk behind the glass in her hand. I could tell what this was going to be about.
" I'm in entertainment" I replied , my voice level as I took a sip of my wine.
" I heard people in entertainment can't belong to a home" Markie barked " They're even considered to be public property"
The clatter of Elijah's fork hitting his plate sounded like thunder " Let me be the judge of what belongs in my home Markie"
Shirleen leaned in , ignoring the warning " So, Eliza will your father be attending your wedding? Or the rumors are true that his daughter is a persona non grata"
" I have no relationship with the Stone family" I replied coldly " And frankly, I don't need them, I'm enough to build a legacy with Elijah"
Shirleen gave out a short laugh " Legacy! That means, you're a nobody with no background… how can we let a nobody into our family bloodline?" Shirlene spat
Elijah tensed up beside me. His aura darkened into something dangerous.
" Shirlene…watch your tongue"
My hand instinctively touched Elijah's arm. I didn't want him losing his temper. Not yet, this was my fight now, I could fight my battles myself.
I sat my glass down.
" At sixteen I joined CrownJewel with nothing but the clothes on my back and a spine of steel," I said my voice cutting through the tension
" At eighteen I had won every award they said I couldn't win. At nineteen I didn't just walk a runway I launched a fashion line that moved twenty billion in a night"
I locked eyes with Shirlene
"By twenty-two, my personal assets eclipsed the yearly revenue of half the businesses represented at this table. So, Shirlene, let's be clear: I don't need a 'background.' I am the background. I am the legacy. Next time you decide to speak, I suggest you do the research your husband clearly neglected."
I picked up my fork and resumed eating.
Shirlene's face turned purple ,her composure cracked " I did my research and it showed you as a whore.. a whore Demian threw away like trash , just like your pathetic runaway mother" Shirlene spat.
The world slowed. The mention of my mother didn't just cross the line, it incinerated it. I stood up so abruptly the chair screeched . Before Shirlene could blink.
Crack
My palm struck her cheek. The sound echoing like a gunshot in the silent dinner.
Shirlene reached for her cheek. Her eyes widened in shock " Elijah , will you let this street girl assault your family?"
I looked at Elijah.
He didn't look upset.
He wasn't shocked.
Rather a dark predatory satisfaction filled his eyes.
He set his glass down and stood up. His frame casting a shadow over the table
" I didn't see an assault,just a Sterling woman teaching a lesson on manners"
His hand slid possessively around my waist , pulling me against him.
" Eliza" he whispered in my ears " If you would start a war in this house, you should know victory is a must"
" Good night Grandma"
Elijah pulled me away from the table. But before we could reach the door Shirleen called out.
" You think you know
the man you're marrying" Shirleen screamed " You should ask him why he has a folder with your mother's name on it"
Elijah's grip tightened around my waist.
It wasn't denial.
It was admission.
And that terrified me more.